Veterans (Veteran Education)

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 24, 2025

H 2264: An Act relative to free parking for veterans

By Representative Elliott of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2264) of Rodney M. Elliott relative to free parking for veterans. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides free parking for veterans, expanding a tangible benefit and recognizing service per title/summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 205: An Act increasing access to medical care for veterans

This bill (HD 205) requires Massachusetts public transportation systems (commuter rail, subway, bus, shuttle, and boat) to provide free rides to veterans traveling to or from Veterans Administration hospitals for medical care. It applies only to veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Defense who present proof of a VA medical appointment, such as a notice from the VA showing their name, date, and location of the appointment. The law aims to reduce transportation barriers for veterans seeking medical care at VA facilities within Massachusetts, without altering VA healthcare services or eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves transportation barrier for veterans accessing VA medical care, directly improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates free public transit rides for veterans to VA medical appointments, expanding access to transportation services without restricting funding or infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates free public transit for veterans traveling to VA medical appointments, directly reducing transportation barriers to healthcare access as stated in its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 451: An Act to support veteran owned businesses

HD 451 waives the business formation fee and annual report filing fee for veteran-owned businesses in Massachusetts. To qualify, veterans must provide acceptable proof of their veteran status to the Secretary of State. The bill applies to businesses where at least one owner is a veteran as defined by state law. This policy change directly reduces two specific administrative costs for veterans starting or maintaining a business in the state.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives business formation/annual fees for veteran-owned businesses, reducing costs and directly supporting veteran entrepreneurship per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2016: An Act relative to testing requirements for veterans who wish to become educators

HD 2016 adds 5 points to the test scores of veterans seeking educator certification in Massachusetts. Specifically, it requires that any veteran (as defined by state law) who takes a required test for provisional educator or advanced provisional educator certification receives these 5 additional points added to their scaled score. This adjustment applies directly to veterans applying for teaching licenses through the state's certification process. The bill changes the scoring mechanism for these specific tests but does not alter the required testing standards or create new certification pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds 5 points to veterans' test scores for educator certification, easing entry into teaching profession and supporting educator workforce development.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds 5 test points for veterans seeking educator certification, directly supporting veteran employment in teaching through scoring advantage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1722: An Act to exclude Chapter 115 payments to veterans from gross household income calculation

This bill (HD 1722) changes how certain veteran health care reimbursements are treated for income-based programs. It requires that payments veterans receive to cover out-of-pocket health care costs be excluded from gross household income calculations, as specified in state regulations (760 CMR 6.05). This directly affects veterans who receive these reimbursements when applying for benefits like food assistance or housing subsidies. The key provision adds these payments to the official list of exclusions used to determine household income eligibility. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes veteran healthcare reimbursements from income calculations, improving access to income-based benefits like food assistance and housing subsidies tied to healthcare access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes veteran health reimbursements from income calculations, increasing eligibility for housing subsidies and making housing more affordable for veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veteran health reimbursements from income calculations, increasing eligibility for benefits like food assistance and housing subsidies without reducing actual income.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2430: An Act relative to expanding benefits for disabled veterans and their families

HD 2430 expands Massachusetts benefits for disabled veterans and their families by creating proportional state support based on disability rating. It provides property tax exemptions, partial healthcare, tuition reductions, and job training priority for veterans with service-connected disabilities (regardless of percentage), while offering home modification grants and housing assistance for those rated 50% or higher. Surviving spouses retain health insurance, tuition-free education, and a 50% annual pension, and dependents receive education support and health coverage until age 24. The bill requires the Department of Veterans' Services to manage applications, track usage, and publish annual reports on costs and beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemptions and funds new veteran benefits (healthcare, tuition, housing), directly impacting state budget/tax policy through fiscal support.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tuition reductions and tuition-free education for veterans and surviving spouses, directly advancing higher education access as part of veteran benefits.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly provides 'partial healthcare' benefits for disabled veterans, expanding coverage and access to health services for a specific vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides job training priority for disabled veterans, directly advancing employment opportunities and aligning with employment standards under Labor & Employment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemptions, partial healthcare, tuition reductions, job training, and housing assistance for disabled veterans and families per disability rating.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Workforce Development Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2935: An Act incentivizing veterans to reside in the Commonwealth

This bill changes a residency requirement for veterans seeking state benefits. It reduces the required continuous residency period from 5 years to 1 year. This directly affects veterans who want to qualify for specific Commonwealth benefits, making it easier for them to become eligible. The key provision is the amendment to the General Laws, shortening the qualifying time frame for veterans to access these benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReduces residency requirement from 5 to 1 year, easing access to state benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3204: An Act relative to veteran disability benefits

This bill increases annual disability payments for certain veterans from $2,000 to $5,000. It directly affects veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected PTSD, Persian Gulf illness, or Camp Lejeune water-related injuries at 80% disability. The law requires the state to pay $5,000 yearly in two installments (August 1 and February 1) starting from the application date. This change amends existing law to raise the payment amount for these specific veteran groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases funding for veterans with service-connected PTSD (mental health condition), directly supporting mental health services via disability payments.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases disability payments from $2,000 to $5,000 for specific veterans, directly expanding benefits as required by law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3191: An Act relative to retirement benefits for veterans

This bill allows veterans who retired before July 24, 1996, from state or local retirement systems to count their military service toward retirement benefits. Veterans may receive credit for up to four years of active military service (or National Guard/Reserve service at a 5:1 ratio - five years of guard/reserve service equals one year of active duty), but this credit cannot exceed 80% of their retirement benefit. Local retirement systems must approve the change via vote, though state systems like teachers' and employees' plans automatically adopt it. The bill specifically excludes service already counted under prior provisions.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' retirement benefits by allowing military service credit toward state/local retirement systems, directly advancing their financial security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3566: An Act relative to veterans benefits

HD 3566 ensures that increases in state veterans' benefits are not counted as income when determining eligibility for public housing or other public assistance programs. It directly affects veterans receiving state veterans benefits who also apply for public housing, food assistance, or similar support. The bill amends state law to exclude any increase in veterans' benefits from income calculations used by public assistance programs. This prevents veterans from losing access to essential support due to higher veterans' benefits, maintaining their eligibility without requiring them to reduce their veterans' aid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes veterans' benefit increases from income calculations, preventing loss of public housing eligibility and strengthening access to housing support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly excludes veterans' benefit increases from income calculations for public assistance, preventing loss of housing/food aid and strengthening access to support systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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